Chinese for Dummies [With CD-ROM]

This is a very good reference book for learning spoken Mandarin. As stated in the Introduction, this is not a book intended to be read from cover to cover. Instead, it's written for browsing. I agree with some other reviewers that this book isn't exactly a basic Dummies book. Some previous Chinese language experience before reading this book makes more sense. The information in this book is still very useful though. One problem I have with this book is that the type is small. Sometimes it's hard to see the tone marks without wearing reading glasses. A larger font would make the transliterated text easier to read. Also, this book does not have any information about reading Chinese characters. I think this book is worth the low price as a reference book, but you'll still need other references.

If you have no previous exposure to Chinese, this book/CD will make you FEEL like a Dummy! You are expected to repeat entire phrases and sentences from the start. It's better for a beginner who has already done some basic work in Chinese. However the book is wonderful for explaining Chinese culture, and the author definitely conveys her own love for China and the people and language. The cultural notes are fascinating and definitely more accessible for "dummies" than the audio section. If you are a beginner looking for a "step 2" program the CD is a great challenge and introduces a lot of new vocabulary.

this book is a good supplement IF you're already taking mandarin classes. but this book is not enough for a self-study course. it is much too simplistic for that.

I needed a good book on Chinese language to prepare for my fiance coming next month from Shanghai. I had already bought several books on Chinese language and each had different approaches to laying out the land of a somewhat difficult language. When I received Chinese for Dummies, I skimmed through the varius chapters and saw that the format used in the book, made it easier to understand the language and the "chinese mind" that I beleive the other books lacked in scope. I ended up using the chapters as a template for lesson plans, not only for myself, but for teaching my fiance English. The additional CD made it easier by "hearing" the tonal structure of the Chinese, something the other books disappointedly lacked. I highly recommend this book.